Importance of proteins for the kidneys Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an important building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and blood. The primary role of dietary protein is for growth, development, tissue repair and maintenance. Proteins are complex organic molecules, which consist of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the body tissues. The body needs proteins to help build muscles, repair tissues and fight infections..milk-based products) and including more plant-based protein (beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains) in the diet may help slow down the loss of kidney function.Protein is an integral part of the body's defence mechanism. The low protein level in the body weakens the immune system to be able to fight against infections. Lowprotein intake in chronic kidney disease may lead to reduced muscle mass which may cause weakness and fatigue. People with Diabetes and kidney disease are prone toget frequent infections compared to people without Diabetes. Low protein levels may cause poor outcome if one gets an infection.Protein intake in kidney disease Low protein effect If the kidneys are not working well, the urea can build up in the bloodstream and may cause fatigue and loss of appetite. Low protein intake would reduce the workload on the kidneys so that the remaininghealthy part of the kidneys does not have to work so hard. Limiting the intake of animal-based protein (meat, fish, eggs, and weight (48-gram protein for a person having a bodyweight of 60 kg).In general chronic kidney disease (CKD) If a person has kidney disease, he or she may need to watch their protein intake. High protein intake may cause waste to accumulate in the blood which may causemore harm. The kidneys may not be able to remove all the extra waste. On the other hand, once a person is started with dialysis treatment, a higher amount of protein in the diet is necessary to help maintain blood protein levels and improve health.It is important to eat the right amount of protein each day. The amount of protein one would need is based on the body size, the stage of kidney disease, whether or not the person has Diabetes, nutritional status and the amount of protein expelled through urine. Protein intake should also not be too low. On average, a person having chronic kidney disease should take 0.8 gram of protein per kg of body stages 1 and 2; the current recommendation is to limit dietary protein to no more than 0.8 grams per kilogram of the ideal body weight. For example, if a person's ideal body weight is 68 Kg, his or her protein requirement would be68 kg x 0.8 g/kg = 54 gram of protein per day. It is better to consume moreplant-based proteins as they are easy to break down and process than animal proteins.If a person has CKD stages 3-5, he or she will need to restrict protein intake even more. Limiting proteins to 0.55-0.60 grams per Kg of the ideal body weight can delay the decline in kidney function. For example, if the ideal body weight of a person is 68 Kg, his or her protein requirement would be 68 x 0.6 = 40 grams per day.Supplementation in kidney diseasePeople suffering from kidney disease should take more plant source protein like beans, lentils, nuts, peanut butter, seeds and whole grains. A plant-based diet can meet the protein requirement with careful planningby eating a variety of plant-based foods. Another bonus with plant proteins is that they are low in saturated fat and high in 54 fibre. So, these types of proteins are not only beneficial for kidney disease but also heart problems.Protein supplementation may not be beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease because it would create extra pressure on the already damaged kidneys. On the contrary, people on maintenance haemodialysis would require high-quality protein. Sometimes they struggle to maintain protein levels in the blood, particularly those who are strict vegetarians.In this group of people, whey happens to be a great source of high-quality proteins. Whey protein-based supplements are currently being evaluated in people undergoing dialysis.To concludeProtein intake is a double-edged sword, especially in people with Diabetes and kidney disease. It is prudent to consult a kidney specialist and a clinical nutritionist before any change in diet, particularly, the amount of protein intake or before taking protein supplements, if you are suffering from chronic kidney disease.Dr Asis Mitra is a Consultant Diabetologist atRuby General Hospital, Kolkata
Importance of proteins for the kidneys Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an important building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and blood. The primary role of dietary protein is for growth, development, tissue repair and maintenance. Proteins are complex organic molecules, which consist of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the body tissues. The body needs proteins to help build muscles, repair tissues and fight infections..milk-based products) and including more plant-based protein (beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains) in the diet may help slow down the loss of kidney function.Protein is an integral part of the body's defence mechanism. The low protein level in the body weakens the immune system to be able to fight against infections. Lowprotein intake in chronic kidney disease may lead to reduced muscle mass which may cause weakness and fatigue. People with Diabetes and kidney disease are prone toget frequent infections compared to people without Diabetes. Low protein levels may cause poor outcome if one gets an infection.Protein intake in kidney disease Low protein effect If the kidneys are not working well, the urea can build up in the bloodstream and may cause fatigue and loss of appetite. Low protein intake would reduce the workload on the kidneys so that the remaininghealthy part of the kidneys does not have to work so hard. Limiting the intake of animal-based protein (meat, fish, eggs, and weight (48-gram protein for a person having a bodyweight of 60 kg).In general chronic kidney disease (CKD) If a person has kidney disease, he or she may need to watch their protein intake. High protein intake may cause waste to accumulate in the blood which may causemore harm. The kidneys may not be able to remove all the extra waste. On the other hand, once a person is started with dialysis treatment, a higher amount of protein in the diet is necessary to help maintain blood protein levels and improve health.It is important to eat the right amount of protein each day. The amount of protein one would need is based on the body size, the stage of kidney disease, whether or not the person has Diabetes, nutritional status and the amount of protein expelled through urine. Protein intake should also not be too low. On average, a person having chronic kidney disease should take 0.8 gram of protein per kg of body stages 1 and 2; the current recommendation is to limit dietary protein to no more than 0.8 grams per kilogram of the ideal body weight. For example, if a person's ideal body weight is 68 Kg, his or her protein requirement would be68 kg x 0.8 g/kg = 54 gram of protein per day. It is better to consume moreplant-based proteins as they are easy to break down and process than animal proteins.If a person has CKD stages 3-5, he or she will need to restrict protein intake even more. Limiting proteins to 0.55-0.60 grams per Kg of the ideal body weight can delay the decline in kidney function. For example, if the ideal body weight of a person is 68 Kg, his or her protein requirement would be 68 x 0.6 = 40 grams per day.Supplementation in kidney diseasePeople suffering from kidney disease should take more plant source protein like beans, lentils, nuts, peanut butter, seeds and whole grains. A plant-based diet can meet the protein requirement with careful planningby eating a variety of plant-based foods. Another bonus with plant proteins is that they are low in saturated fat and high in 54 fibre. So, these types of proteins are not only beneficial for kidney disease but also heart problems.Protein supplementation may not be beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease because it would create extra pressure on the already damaged kidneys. On the contrary, people on maintenance haemodialysis would require high-quality protein. Sometimes they struggle to maintain protein levels in the blood, particularly those who are strict vegetarians.In this group of people, whey happens to be a great source of high-quality proteins. Whey protein-based supplements are currently being evaluated in people undergoing dialysis.To concludeProtein intake is a double-edged sword, especially in people with Diabetes and kidney disease. It is prudent to consult a kidney specialist and a clinical nutritionist before any change in diet, particularly, the amount of protein intake or before taking protein supplements, if you are suffering from chronic kidney disease.Dr Asis Mitra is a Consultant Diabetologist atRuby General Hospital, Kolkata
